Mounting for radiator shutter blades



1 B. GREEN 1,824,015

MOUNTING FOR RADIATOR SHUTTER BLADES Filed May ll, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 22, 1931.

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Sept 22, 1931- B. GREEN 1,824,015

MOUNTING FOR RADIATOR SHUTTER BLADES Filed May 1l, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ifYUM-MHH"W w1 W u fQ y f/// z fr f lee Greer? sept. 22, 1931. l.. B. GREEN 1,824,015

MOUNTING FOR RADIATOR SHUTTER BLADES Filed May ll, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Sept. 22, 1931 irse STATES rl'vrrailvr OFFICE Lan B. GREEN, or LAKEWOOD, onto', AssIGNoR `To THE' GLCBE MACHINE a STAMPING COMPANY, or CLEVELAND, CHIC, A 4ConPoRA'rIoN or oHIo MOUNTING Bonn-Anuman snowman BLADES j Appneatifmv ined May 11,

ly invention relates to shutters ,having parallel pivoted bladesand in its general io tomary to employ blades formed of sheet metal and to provide substantially alined pivoting pins fastened to and projecting'. from the opposite ends of the blades, which pins extend through alined bearings-as l5 for example through alined bores intwo opposite members of a shutter frame. In manufacturing such shutters economically, the axes of the two pivoting pins kfastened to opposite en ds of the same' blade-do not zo alwaysy aline exactly with each other; and a similar lack of an exact alinement is also rrpt to occur as to the assumedly alined bores n the two bearing bars inY which the pivot; ing pins at opposite ends of the blades are journaled.

In view of such variationsand also because of similar variations in the diameters of the pivoting pins and of the bars in the bearing bars, it has been necessary to make 3o the diameter of each such pin sufliciently smallerk than the diameter -of the` bearing bore for that pin sol as to; allow for these common variations. As the result these pivot pins are free toV move to a limited extent in directions radial of theirv aXjes when the shutter is jarred.jMoreover, since thedeparture from an exact alinement of the pins on adjacent blades may not be in the same direction, such bodily movements of the ljarred shutter blade members are, apt to be in differing directions, ,thereby interfering' with the proper interitti-ng of the adjacent blade edge portions when the shutter isv closed and` also causingia rattling' between suchv interengagi-ng portions of adjacent lades. ff

An allied allo-wzmcel forvariations in the manufacture and assembling of the shutter blade members and the bearing bars has also 59 been required in connection with the ar- 1931. Serial No. 536,473'.

rangements for preventing undue longitudij nal movements of the shutter blade members, this term shutter blade member being here used as designating a shutter blade with the pivot pins fastened to its opposite ends. Each such pivoting pinusually has an outwardly facing shoulder near the adjacent end' of the blade to which the pin is fastened, and the outwardly directed shoulder faces on the two pins mounted on each blade are spaced from each other by a distance approximating the spacing between the op-` posed faces of the two bearing bars (or op-4 posite frame members) through which the two pins extend.- j Y In commercial `man'ufactiuring practice, the spacing of thesev outward shoulder faces on different blade Amembers may vary slightly, the spacing between the opposed faces of the two bearing bars may also vary, and these bar faces may notbe disposedfexactly parallel to each other.- Consequently, the two bearingv bars are usually mounted so that their opposed faces are spaced by a con-,- siderably greater distance than that between the oppositely directed faces of the shoulders on any one of the shutter blade members, thereby permitting a longitudinal sliding of these members and anoisyimpact of the said shoulders against the bearing bars. The resulting rattling has proven particularly annoying in automobile shutters having vertical blades,sincetheweight ofthe shutter members will cause these to impact severely against`r the lower bearing bar after these Vmembers have been lifted off that bar by a bouncing ofthe car. n j f l The use of upright blades in vautomobile radiator shutters has also introduced an objection which was not encountered in such radiator shutters when the'blades are horizontal. AWith horizontally extending blade` members, the weight of each such member is supported bythe bores of the two` bearings, and since each pivot pin engages'-A the bore of the corresponding bearing along substantially a mere line, the friction be-r tween the pins and the bearings during the opening or closing rotational movement vofl the shutter blademembers is quite small,

CTI

particularly since the weight of such blade member is distributed between two bearings.

With a vertical shutter blade member, the entire weight of this member has to be borne by the lower bearing bar, and the engagement of the upper `face of this bar by the shoulder on the lower pivoting pin is over a considerable area, thereby affording correspondingly increased frictional resistance to rotation. `As the result', a much' greater amount of power is required Vfor opening or closing shutters with vertical blades than those having horizontal blades, and this increased power interferes -with the sensitive action of the lautomatic mechanisms now frequently employed for opening and closing automobile. radiator shutters in response to variations in the temperature of the engine.

My invention aims "to overcome all of the above recited objections by simple and relatively inexpensive means. More particularly, myjinvention aims to provide shutter assembliesV embodying one or more of the following novel characteristics:

A supporting` of the shutter blade members substantially independent of the perforated bearing bars, leaving the bores of these bars to serve merely as guides for the assembling and asstops for `vlimiting a possible excessive movement of shutter blade members transversely-of these bores.

y (2) A supporting of the shutter bladeA members with the oppositely directed faces of the shoulders on the pivoting-pins *normally freely spaced from all other parts, leaving Vsuch shoulders to serve merely as stops during the 'assembling of the shutter and for limiting' possible excessive longitudinal movements of the shutter blade members. c

(3) An effective pivoting of the shutter blade members independent of the bores through which the pivot pins on these mem- A pivoting of the shutter blade members between two pivot members which only engage the pointed or rounded tips of the pivot pins. s f Y (5) A yielding pressing ofL one such Vpivot member toward the other fer maintaining this pivoting; and in the case of upright shutter blades, a yielding vdownward pressure on the upper pivoting member and a rigid supporting of the lower pivoting member.

(6) VA continuous pressing of at least one pivot pin of each shutter blade member toward one side of its axis.

(7) A lateral pressure on one pivot pin by` the same pivoting members which' yieldingly presses that pin toward the other pivoting member.v

(8) Single presser members eXercising the above mentionedfunctions in connection with pivot pins on' a plurality of shutter blades.

. (9) Simple mountings to reduce the cost and facilitate the assembling, and also to permit a detaching and replacing of the bodying my invention and including means for preventing longitudinal movements of the blades and for continuously urging the blades in one direction at right angles te the general plane of the shutter blades.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken from the rear of the shutter along the pivot axes of the blades, or along the vline 2-2 of Fig. l, with medial blade portions broken away.

Fig. 3 is a section taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a section along the line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a plan viewof another. embodiment of my invention, namely one in which the means for preventing longitudinal movementsof the shutter blades also hold the pivoting axis of each blade in a fixed position. f

Fig. 6 is a section along the line 6 6 of Fig;V 5, with medial portions of the shutter blades broken away. Y Fig. 7 is a section taken along the line 7-"7 of 5. i

Fig.r 8 is a section similar. to the upper portion of Fig. 2, showing an embodiment in Vwhich the blade-movement-preventing means operate only to prevent movements y longitudinally of the blades, showing these means as engaging the upperpivot pin on each blade.` Y

Fig. 9 is a section taken along the lin 99 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a section similar to Fig. 8, showing a modilied. arrangement for the same purpose as Figs. 8 and 9.

Fig. l1 is a section taken along the line ll-ll'of Fig. l0. y v

Fig. 12 is a section similar to Fig. 8, but showing a modied arrangement.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary vertical section allied-to Vthat ofFig. 9, showing the use of a separately formed member, interlocked with the upper frame member, for engaging theV upper pivot pin on a shutter blade.

' In the .shuttershown in a closed position in Figs. l to t inclusive,l each upright blade l has at its upper end a rearwardly directed horizontal wing 2 and has at its lower end la rearwardly 'directed wing 3. Securedto and-extending upwardly from the upper wing 2 on each shutter blade is an upper pivotpin i which has a flange 4A seated on lll) lin)

the blade Ywing 2 and which desirablyhas its upper end tapering to a rounded tip 4B. Each lower blade wing 3 likewise is secured toa lower pivot pin k which extends downwardly and alines axially with the upper pin 4 on the same blade. This lowerk pin has a peripheral flange 5A bearing against the bottom'of the lowerblade wing 3 and has its lower end portion 'tapered to a desirably rounded tip. v rThe upper pivot pins 4 all extend through upright bores in a horizontal upper bar 6 which corresponds to the upper bearing bar in the usual shutter constructions, and the lower pivot pins 5 similarly extend through upright bores in a lower bar Zcorresponding to the usual lower bearing bar a shutter having upright blades. rfhe two bars 6 and 7 are rigidly `supported by Vany suitable means as for example by a channel-sectioned frame which has its upper member S overhanging and welded to the upper bar 6 and which has its lowermember 9 overhanging and secured to the lower bar 7. v Y

The upper frame member 8 has upwardly arched portions 10 formed from it at points intermediate ofthe bores 11 in the upper bar (l, through which bores the upper pivot pins 4 extend, these arched'portions being disposed so that theiropenings aline in a.- common vertical plane AA` along the axes of all of the pins 4, and so that the top portion of each arch extends horizontally transverse of the said plane and has its lower face at less elevation than the tips of the pins 4.

Underhanging and secured tothe lower bar 7 at spaced points-as shown at' one point by the rivet 12`is a thrust bar v13 which has spaced portionsr 13A respectively underhanging the tips of the lower pivot pins 5 so as to support the shutter blade members; each of which members includes the two pins 4 and 5 together with an interposed shutter blade 1 and the flanges 2 and 3 on this blade. Each of the said portions 13A of the thrust bar 13 is formed so that its upper (or pin-engaging face) slopes in a direction at right angles to the said common plane A of the pin axes of the bladesof the shutter.

Extending consecutively under 'the arched Y riser formations 10 on the upper frame inember 8 and above the interposed tips 4B 'of the upper pivoting pins is a resilient metal strip 14, which strip has the pin-engaging portion 14A opposite each suchk pin tip deformed to slope in the opposite direction from the slope of the portions 13A of the thrust bar, namely upwardly forward in the illustrated embodiment. With the strip 14 initially flat except for its said pin-engaging portions 14A, lthe resiliency of the strip continuously tends to straighten it, thereby exerting aV downward pressure on allof the upper pivot pins for yieldingl-y pressing all ofthe shut# ter blade members against the thrust bar 13. At the same time, the slope of these portions 14A also causes this spring pressure to press the upper pivot pins 4 forwardly (or toward the left in Fig. 3), and the inclination of the thrust bar portions likewise causes both the said spring` pressure and gravity to ycooperate for sliding the lower pivotv pins 5 in the same direction.

- Consequently,A when the shutter is assembled-or at least after a few lrotational movements of the shutter blade members, as ef fected through. the usual blade-connecting bar l-the upper and lower pivoting pins of all'of the shutter blade members will engage the corresponding `bores 11 and 16 in` the two perforated bars 6 and 7 only along the forward portions of these bores. This contact with each pin is only along a single vertical line, and is so maintained by the spring action of the resilient strip, thereby preventing any movements of the shutter blade members in directions radial of their pivot axes. Owing to this provision, the diameters of the pivot pins need not be close approaches to those of the bores in the perforated bars through which they extend,

thereby allowing considerable variations in the manufacture of these parts.

By thus providing single line engagements between each pivotpin and the bore through which it extends and by providing all of the pivot pins with substantially pointed tips respectivelyv engaging the thrust bar 13 and the resilient strip, Ingreatly reduce the friction over that which occurs with: the usual required for openingandclosing the shutter i than with the previous constructions.

In practice, the resilient strip 14 can be sufficiently iiexible to allow it to be threaded consecutively through the arches 10 after the other parts are assembled; or, this strip A can be inserted before the thrust bar 13 is attached to the lower perforated lower bar 9 so as to facilitate the inserting of the strip. However, l do not wish to be limited to the 'shutter mounting in which the large surface use of a single resilient member for exerting L the desired action on, a plurality of shutter blade members. Instead, 1 may apply this pressure to each upper pivot pin 4 by a separate spring, Ias illustrated for example in A Fig-913.' This shows a lat strip of spring metal extendingunder an-'arched riser 26 on the upperY frame member 8, with the rear end portion 26A bent downward to latch in a slot in this member and with the forward part 26BV sloping upwardly forward and engaging the tip of the adjacent upper pivot pin il. y

Moreover, while I have heretofore described.embodiments of my invention which have proven highly satisfactory for reducing friction and preventing rattling in a shutter having vertical blades, I do not wish to be limited as tothe manner in which I arrange the parts which accomplish the various purposes of my invention,ssince part or all of these purposes can also be accomplished by other arrangements than that illustrated in Figs. lto 4.

For example, Figs. 5,'6 and 7 show an embodiment in which the bottom. thrust bar 23 has downwardly depressed portions 23Arespectively opposite the tip of each lower pivot pin 5, so that the tapering tip V5E of each such pin seats in a depression which prevents that tip romshifting in the general plane of the shutter. The resilient strip (or hold-down member) A24; in this case is anchored at each end, as by providing each end thereoi1 with a hooi; tip 24A bearing against the outward edge of one of the endmost arch formations l0, and this strip has dome-like portions 24B (Fig. 7)

respectively engaging the pointed tips 4B of the upper pivoting pins. With the thrust bar properly positioned for holding its depressions 23A respectively coaxial with the lower pivot pins, and withthe resilient strip 24 guided laterally by ,the riser arches l() to hold its formations 24B also in alinement with the pivot axes of the shutter blade members, each oin4 these members will be held against movements bot-h radially of its pivot axis and longitudinally of its shutter blades, thereby preventing any rattling and also reducing friction. VVhen the parts are suitably proportioned, each pivot pin may be entirely out of. Contact4 with the bore 11 through which it extends, so that these bores serve only as guides for facilitating the assembling of the shutter.V I also do not wish to be limited to arrangements in which the lateral component of the pressure exerted on a pivot pin is directed at right angles tothe general plane of the shutter. For example, Fig. 12 shows an upper portion of a shutter in which two upper pins 4l extend between two consecutive strip-anchoring arches 26, and in which the resilient strip 27 has no twisted or transversely sloping portions but bows freely upward between such a pairof pins so as to press these pins toward each other. lVith this arrangement, the bowing of a single portion of the presser strip over two adjacent upper pivot pins presses these pins toward each other in the common plane of the axes of these pins. i

Moreover, I do not wish to be limited to the use of means for simultaneously urging the shutter blade members in morethan one direction, since decided advantages over the now customary shutter blade mountings can be obtained by means which only prevent movements longitudinally of the blade members, namely in the direction in which such movements cause the loudestV rattling when the blade axes are upright or approximately upright. Foi` this purpose, the resilient or hold-down strip (or presser member) may be free of all twisted, embossed or transversely tilted portions, as shown for example by the resilient presser strip 28 of Fig. 8.

Nor do I wish to be limited to the providing o1n the needed resiliency in the presser member itself, since this member may be rigid and pressed against the pivot pins by auxiliary spring means. For example, Figs. 10 and l1 show portions of a shutter assembly in which the presser strip which rests on the upper pivot pins is a rigidbar 29 guided for vertical movement by riser posts 30, each owhich posts has a head 31 spaced upwardly from the presser bar 29; and in which a compression spring 32 is interposed between each such post head 3l and the presser bar to urge the barv downwardly.

So also, I do not wish to be limited to the use of my invention in connection with shutters in which the blade axes extend vertically, since the operation of the recited features would to a large extent be the same if the pivot pins had horizontal axes and extended through horizontal bores in upright bars. Nor do I wish to be limited to details of the construction and arrangements abovev described, since further changes might be made without departing either from the spirit of my invention or from the appended claims.

.Y I/Vith each of the illustrated embodiments, an ample spacing may be allowed between the outwardly directed shoulder faces of the peripheral flanges 4A and 5A on the pivot pins to permit considerable variations in the spacings of the perforated bars Gand 7 through which these pins extend.

Y I Vclaim as my invention:V

l. In a shutter, two vertically spaced horizontal bearing bars provided with alined bores, upright shutter blade members each including two pivot pins extending respectively through alined bores in the said bars, and two means respectively supported by the two bearing bars and each engaging the tips ofthe pivot pins which extend through the adjacent bearing bar, one of the said means being fast with respect tothe bearing bar adjacent thereto, and the other having its pin engaging portions continuously pressed toward the lastV named bearing bar.

Y In al shutter, two verticallyf spaced y horizontal bearing bars provided with alined bores, uprightshutter blade members each includingtwo pivoting pins extending respectively through alined bores in the said bars, rig'l supporting means tast with respect te the lower bearing bar andhaving the tips ot the lower pivot pins seatedthere-` on, and resilient means` engaging the tips et the upper pivotA pins for continua-ll pressing the downwardly. t. i c* 3iY In a shutter,two vertically spaced horizontal bearing bars provided with alined bores, uprightYshutterblade members each including two pivot pins extending respec- Jtively through alined bores in the said bars, rigid supporting Vmeans tast with respect to the lower bearingpbar., and having the -c tips oi' the lower pivot pins seated thereon, and resilient means engagingA the tips ot the upper pivoting pins for continually pressing the latter tips both downwardly and in the same direction transversely of theaxes of the said pins. y f,

et. In a shutter, ltwo vertically spaced horizontal bearing bars vprovided with` alined bores upright shutter blade members each including two pivot pins extendingrespea tively through alined bores inthe said bars,

the lower bearing bar and having the tips of the lower pivotpins seated thereon, and resilient means engaging the tips of the upper pivoting pinsfor continually pressing the latter tips both downwardly and in a direction at right angles to the general plane of the shutter blades when the shutter is closed.

` 5. A shutter assembly as per claim 4, in vwhich the said rigid supporting means slope downward in the said same direction.

6. In a shutter, a'plurality of shutter blade members each having oppositely directed respectively extend, and two pressure-exerting strips respectively outwardk of theKV two bearing members, each strip having the free ends of one set of the pivot pins abutting against it, and means associated with one of the strips for yieldingly pressing its pin-engaging portions toward the other strip. I A c 7. In a shutter, a plurality of shutter blade members each having alined pivot pins at its opposite end, two bearing members through which one and the other pin of each blade respectively extend, and two tg. pressure-exerting strips respectively; outward of the two bearing members, each strip having'. the one set of the said pins abutting against the strip face portions against which the two pins on each bladel member respectively abut being disposed in `*said upper pivoting. pinsrigid supporting means fast with respect tov bars spect tothe lowerrvbearing bar andhavingV the tips of the lower pivot pins: seated there- Y pivot pins, two bearing members throughwhich one and the other pin of each bladey Lbers.`

surfaces converging toward each "other transversely of the general common plane of the blade members when'the shutter is closed.' y p `S. In a shutter, two vertically spaced horirental bearing bars'provided with alined bares, upright shutter `lade members each including two pivoting pins extending refk spectively through alined bores in the said bars, rigid supportingnieans fast Awith respect tothe lower bearing bar and havingy 'ffl upper pivot pins, and means' flexing the strip downwardly at points between each two of the said upper pins. y l0. In a shutter, two vertically e horizontal bearing bars provided with alined bores, upright shutter blademembers each including two pivot pins `extending ,re-vy ispaced spectively'throughi alined bores in the said rigid supporting means fast withfre-f on, a resilient stripengaging thev tipsyolt the upperpivot pins, and pluralpmeans fast. J with respect to thenpper bearing bar vfor Vflexing the strip downwardly points spaced :from the said upper pins.

ll. In, shutter, two "vertically spaced horizontal bearing bars provided .with alined bores, upright shutter .blade members each including two pivot .pins extending respec tively through alined bores in the said bars, rigidlsupporting means fast vwith respect to the lower bearingbar and having thevtips of the lower pivot pins seated thereon, plural stopelementsffast withrespect to the upper bearing member and presenting downwardly directed faces spaced from the said pins at a lowerelevation thanthe'tips et the upper pivot pins, and va resilient presser stripV ex= tendin'gunder thezsaid stop elements and over-,the tips of the upper pivot pins.

12. Ashutter liConstrnotion las per` claim ll, in whichzrthe `said* Astop elementsV are the tops of arches alining in the commonplane of the pivot axes of the shutterbladepniem-A shutter construe-tienes per cla-im Il in whichthe.saidstop element faces arein a plane at right angles to the, axes3 ofthe upper pivotpins, land in which the Apinengaging portions'of the stripv are all tilted at the same angle to the said plane.

14. In a shutter, two vertically spaced horizontal bearing bars provided with alined bores, upright shutter'blade members each including two pivot pins extending respectively through alined bores in the said bars, rigid supporting means fast with respect to y thelower bearing bar and having the tips of the lower pivot pins seated thereon, and resilient means engaging the tips of the upper pivot pins for continually pressing the latter' tips'both downwardly, the tips of the the tips wof the lower pivot pins, riser formations extending upwardly from the said webs between certain of the upper pivot pins, anda resilient strip extending under the the upper pivot pins. 4

16.1n a shutter, a plurality of shutter blade membersy each including a blade and said riser formations and over the tips of Vtwo pins extending'respectively lfrom Ythe ends of the"blades,the pins on each blade beingin alinement and having their axes in a common plane withthe axes of the pins pressing the same toward the other pivot-V its pins. i

A shutter construction as per claim of( other blades, two generally parallel pivoting members adjacentxto the opposite ends Vof the blade members and eachvengaging the tips ofv all'of the pins at one end of the Vblade members, and means associated with one of the pivoting members for yieldingly pressing the same toward the other pivoting ymember. i Y

. 17.*In ashutter, a plurality of shutter blade members each including a blade and two pins extending respectively from the ends of the blade, the pins on each blade being in alinement and having their axes in a common plane with the axes of the pins of other bla-des, two generally parallel pivotmembers adjacent to the opposite ends of the blade members andV each engagingV the tips of all' of the pins at one end of the blade members, means associated withone of the pivoting members for yieldingly ing member, and means associated with both pivoting members for causing the said pressure to urge each of the blade members 17 ,including two stop members respectively Y adjacent to the pins at opposite ends of the blade members for limiting the movements of the blade members in the said ra` dial direction.`

19'. In a shutter, two parallel bars each provided with parallel bores spaced longitudinally of the bar, the bores in the two bars alining with each other and all having their axes in a common plane; means rigidly spacing the bars; shutter blade members each including ablade and two alined y pins extending outwardly from opposite ends of the blade, each pin extending through one of the'said bores and being of smaller diameter than that bore, and each pin having a radial shoulder facing and freely spaced from the bar having the bore through which that pin extends; two pin-engaging means respectively outward of andadjacent to one of the said bars and each engaging the tips of the pins extending through the bores in the bars adjacent thereto, one of the Vpin-engaging means being fast Withrespect to the adjacent bar; and mea-ns associated with the other pin-engaging means for causing the latter to exert a pressure toward the aforesaid bar on the pins engaged by the said other bar.

Signed at Cleveland, Ohio May 7, 1931.V

LEE 13, GREEN.

also in a direction radially'o the axis ofv 

